Project to Explore LNG to Hydrogen-Fuel Cell Retrofit

LNG may be widely considered to be a low-carbon fuel source. However, a new project is aiming to establish whether it’s possible to retrofit an LNG vessel to an even lower-carbon source of energy; hydrogen fuel cells.

The project is the brainchild of logistics company Samskip, and has received support and funding from ENOVA - the Norwegian government fund designed to support initiatives to accelerate decarbonisation. 

In addition to Samskip, the project will also involve TECO 2030 and Blom Maritime, who will be acting as partners to Samskip in the design, development and execution of the project. 

So, what is the focus of the project? 

The answer is the LNG-powered Samskip Kvitnos, a 4,900 DWT ro-ro cargo vessel that plies a route from Rotterdam along the Norwegian coast northwards to Hammerfest.

Ultimately, the project will seek to ‘prepare the designs and explore the feasibility of converting the 394-foot (120-metre) vessel to hydrogen operations’. Should these plans prove feasible, it is likely that Samkip will proceed with the retrofit and conversion of the Kvitnos from LNG to hydrogen fuel cells.

Commenting on the project so far, Samskip’s regional director for Norway and Sweden, Are Grathen, said: 

“With the delivery of our LNG-propelled multipurpose vessels back in 2015, Samskip already offered one of the world’s most environmentally friendly cargo ships. With this grant from ENOVA, and in close collaboration with fuel cell provider TECO 2023, we will continue our endeavour to enable full zero-emission propulsion which in turn with further pave the way for our H2-propelled newbuilds coming out next year and bringing us closer to our net-zero targets for 2040”.

It is expected that Blom Maritime will support the project with naval architects, piping engineers, and structural engineers. TECO 2023 will provide the necessary fuel cells and hydrogen fuel.

Should the project prove successful - and Samskip chooses to proceed with the retrofit - this will likely result in long-term hydrogen fuel supply contracts based on the vessel’s fixed route along the Norwegian coast.

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